1. Is there still any value to having overseas work experience on my CV if my long-term plans are in SG?
2. Am I better off pursuing the spring/summer grind in London and transferring back as an associate, or should I try to apply for summer internships in Singapore and get FT offers that way?
3. Would this process be different for IB and MC?

Thanks!

Thanks. I very strongly recommend against giving up a summer internship in London just for a chance of working in Singapore. It’s not even a great idea to apply and then renege if you get an offer, as you’ll just burn bridges and start out in a less-ideal location.

You should work in London for at least 1-2 years and then transfer to SG later.

I lived in Singapore for a while growing up and would like to return, but unfortunately am not a citizen nor do I speak any SEA languages. I’ve just finished my first year at a target school in the UK and have managed to convert a spring week at a BB, so have an offer for a summer internship in 2024 there. I was wondering what I should do from here to maximise my chances of being able to work in Singapore. Apply for 2024 SA positions in Singapore and renege if I get an offer (I realise this is incredibly unlikely, but no harm in applying)? Or work in London for a couple of years and try and transfer to Singapore later? To be clear, I have little interest in exit opps or rapid career advancement and my main aim is to work in SG.

Thanks in advance.

Networking always helps, but the real question is how much time/effort you should put into it. In Singapore, it’s less useful if you already have a target UK school on your resume/CV, but I don’t think you can completely ignore it. My advice here would be to start reaching out to Singaporean bankers right now so you don’t miss out on internships next year and say that you’re studying in the UK but from SG and plan to return there. I am not sure about the application dates because they change each year, but SG internship recruiting should still be slower than the US timeline (which is already done for 2024 summer at the large banks).

I would start by reaching out to maybe 10-15 bankers you can find on LinkedIn and try to set up 5-10-minute calls with them. Focus on your situation and the best way to back from the UK to SG to work. I think you’re better off interning in SG to start, but some might recommend aiming for London-based roles and then transferring.

I don’t understand your question. Are you asking why people, in general, would pick IB over data science? Are you asking if one is easier/better as an expat in Singapore? Or are you asking for you, personally, whether IB or data science would be better? Happy to answer or explain if you can clarify.

I know of a few data science expats working in Sg banks etc.?

I am not sure offhand, but I would assume that compensation is quite a bit lower due to the smaller fund sizes, the growth-stage deals, and (probably) more inconsistent performance. So it might be closer to (lower) middle-market compensation in the U.S. I have no real data and didn’t look up any compensation reports, but this is how it works in various other countries with similar types of PE industries and an EM focus.